Wait until you see all the amazing new picture books I’ve discovered…and you have a chance to win 10 prizes! Here’s what I like and love about my favorites. I hope it’ll help you add tons of awesome books to your must-read pile.
If you have a new PB releasing, check out how I’ll consider it for a future PB Buzz at the bottom of this post. 🙂
I hotlinked the titles to Goodreads, so you can easily search for your favorites in various stores and in some libraries. Tip: while you’re there, clicking ‘want to read’ helps authors. So do reviews!
If you’re a teacher, media specialist or parent and win a critique prize, I’d be happy to try to hook you up with a Zoom chat with a book reading & Q&A instead.
I Am Odd, I Am New by Benjamin Giroux, Roz MacLean (Illustrations)
Through the eyes of 10-year-old Benjamin Giroux, being odd is different, and different is a good thing. This is what the then fifth-grader hoped to convey in his poem, beginning every few sentences with “I am,” about what it is like to live with autism. Inspired by a school assignment, Benjamin’s raw and emotional words poured out onto the page, but when he feared they were not any good, his parents shared the poem with friends and family. Little did they know that it would go viral and end up inspiring thousands of strangers who identified with him to share their support. Now for the first time, Benjamin’s iconic poem “I Am Odd, I Am New,” comes to life in this lovingly illustrated picture book with a foreword written by the National Autism Association. So whether you know the poem, or it is new to you, discover how Benjamin’s honesty will reassure children of all ages that it’s okay to be different.
Wow. I hope every child will read this! I love the book and teared up at the end. It’s so powerful. I read it without knowing the story behind it—I’m so blown away that this was written by a 10 year-old with autism. It went viral…and five years later, it’s an incredible book.
The illustrations are amazing and emotional, too. I could feel the intensity about hearing noises in the air as well as the isolation.
Because of my hearing loss, I’ve often felt odd, too. Great books like this show me (and others) we’re not alone.
**Check out my interview with Benjamin!**
What Can You Do with a Rock? by Pat Zietlow Miller, Katie Kath (Illustrations)
A timeless new picture book about creativity, imagination, and friendship from New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller!
What can you do with a rock? This ode to the endless, creative fun that a child can have with a deceptively simple rock explores that timeless question. Of course, the very best thing one can do with a rock is to share it with a friend, because people are like rocks: some look shiny right away, while others have secret treasures deep inside.
I didn’t realize a book about rocks could be so emotional. I absolutely love seeing tons of activities you can do with a rock. I bet it’ll inspire children to try new things with them. They may never be bored as long as there’s a rock around after reading this. 😊
This book is full of gems. My favorite part is:
People are like rocks.
Some sparkle right away
while others seem ordinary at first,
but have treasure deep inside.
Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! By S. K. Wenger, Jojo Ensslin (Illustrations)
Chicken Frank wants to prove he’s related to a T.rex—because of evolution!—but none of the other farm animals believe him, until he gets his DNA test results. This comic-book style picture book combines information with humor to explore the concept of evolution and the connection between birds and dinosaurs.
Who knew a picture book about evolution could be so funny? When you take a plucky chicken and add a DNA test to see if he’s related to a dinosaur, it’s hard not to cluckity-roar chuckle along.
The characters are adorable and the back matter is full of fascinating facts about DNA and evolution. Plus…find out if Chicken Frank really is related to T-Rex. Plus interesting similarities between dinosaurs, chickens, and alligators.
Beautiful Jim: The World’s Smartest Horse by Jodie Parachini, Dragan Kordic (Illustrations)
Told in the first person as if written by Beautiful Jim himself, this is the story of the sensation in the late 1800s and early 1900s: a horse whose owner, Doc Key, a formerly enslaved man who loved animals, taught to read, write, and do math. Reading Jim’s diary and the story, we learn how, together with Doc Key, Jim performed all over the United States, even for two presidents, while promoting kindness to animals.
I’m a huge animal lover and instantly fell in love with Beautiful Jim. I wish I could’ve seen him in person. I love all the amazing tricks he did…and adore that he helped bring about awareness of treating animals with kindness.
Who Is a Scientist? by Laura Gehl
Scientists work hard in the lab and in the field to make important discoveries. But who are they really?
It turns out they are just like us! Scientists can be any race. And any gender. They can wear lab coats, jeans, or even tutus. And they are people who love to fly drones, make art, and even eat French fries!
Meet fourteen phenomenal scientists who might just change the way you think about who a scientist is. They share their scientific work in fields like entomology, meteorology, paleontology, and engineering as well as other interesting facts about themselves and their hobbies. An “if you like this, you’ll like that” flowchart in the back of the book helps students identify science careers they might be interested in. Scan a QR code at the end of the book for a video of the scientists introducing themselves!
If you ask children what a scientist is, and then read this book…I have a feeling their answer will be much different. This is packed full of fun and interesting info. I love how a wide variety of scientists are shown—and we get a glimpse at their accomplishments as well as what they like to do outside of science. One of my favorite pages asks the reader what kind of scientist they want to be. Their answers could lead them to an area of science they’ll enjoy exploring.
Book trailer and author interview
Tell Someone by Debra Kempf Shumaker, Tristan Yuvienco (Illustrations)
Whether you’re sad or angry, happy or proud, there’s one thing you can do: tell someone. Just talking about your problems can help make them better, and the person you’re talking to may have ways to help. When children feel nervous on the first day of school, or experience that scary feeling of having a secret that doesn’t feel right, this book empowers kids to find someone they trust—and tell them.
A much-needed SEL book that encourages kids to share their feelings and fears. I love how it shows how sharing can help kids not only feel better, but know they’re not alone. And make sure they can get the support and help they need.
This can spark helpful discussions with parents and in school.
Larry’s Latkes by Jenna Waldman, Ben Whitehouse (Illustrations)
Everyone knows that Big Larry makes the best latkes in town. This year he is throwing a Hanukkah party for all this friends, and the latkes need to be extra special. He goes on a quest to find some brand-new flavors at the farmer’s market. But peaches are a soggy mess, and turnips are a flop. Big Larry’s kitchen is a latke disaster. Good thing he has some help from his friends.
Jenna Waldman brings her joyful rhymes and a friendly alligator to Hanukkah, helped by a sweet menagerie created by Ben Whitehouse.
I love latkes—and this fun story told in rollicking rhyme has me thinking of all the tasty possibilities I’ve never thought to try. Adorable animals, bright illustrations, and a delicious-looking recipe for Big Larry’s Rainbow Latkes with Fresh Rainbow Salsa along with this fun book could lead to a new family Hanukah tradition.
Spidernaut: Arabella, the Spider in Space by Jodie Parachini, Dragan Kordic (Illustrations)
Told in the first person as if written by Arabella herself, she describes how she was the first spider to spin a web in space in 1973, and even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Reading Arabella’s diary and the story, we learn how spiders spin webs and why this experiment, suggested by a high school student, was important.
This is full of fascinating facts—like how spiders spin webs and how they’re different in space than on Earth. I love that a high school student suggested the question of whether a spider can spin webs in space. Kids often think of the best questions…and I’m so glad adults listened to her and checked it out.
James’ Reading Rescue by Dianna Wilson-Sirkovsky, Sara Casilda (Illustrations)
An endearing story about reading to your favorite animal.
James struggles with reading and misses recess to practice. To cheer himself up, he visits the cat rescue shelter and befriends Ghost, the cat in the box. But Ghost isn’t quite ready to make friends! As his reading improves, James learns that kindness and perseverance can have unexpected rewards and that having a furry friend is the best gift of all.
Such a sweet story. I love having rescue cats and dogs. It’s great that this encourages children to practice reading to shelter animals. It’s awesome for socializing the animals with people—and for kids to build their reading skills in a fun and totally non-judgmental way.
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer, Troy Cummings (Illustrations)
Help Rooster count sheep in this funny bedtime picture book from acclaimed author Tammi Sauer and New York Times bestselling illustrator Troy Cummings
In this hilarious barnyard picture book, Rooster is trying to count sheep but keeps getting interrupted by all of the animals on the farm. They’re ruffling his feathers—and they don’t look the slightest bit sheepish! Featuring bright, commercial illustrations and text perfect for read-alouds, One Sheep, Two Sheep is sure to make young readers giggle as they help Rooster count up to ten.
Another fun picture book from Tammi Sauer and Troy Cummings. Rooster’s spunky, funny voice makes this great to read out loud. Kids should love chiming in and trying to guess which animal will jump over the fence next. This also reinforces counting to 10 (with a few fun interruptions).
I love the video for ONE SHEEP, TWO SHEEP!
The Story of You by Lisa Ann Scott, Sue Cornelison (Illustrations)
The actions we take and the words we speak play a big part in who we are as a person. This empowering picture book shows children they can be the authors of their own life stories.
No one can tell you who you are—it’s all up to you! You write your story with your actions and words. This dynamic picture book for readers of all ages features lush illustrations that bring universal situations to light, including ways to be brave, bold, and kind, as well as knowing when you’ve made a mistake. A perfect gift for new parents, young graduates, as well as children and adults in any stage of their life, this is a book with a message: You are what you say and do.
Beautiful illustrations and a great way for children to see that everything they do shows the world the story of who they are—their courage, strength, empathy, creativity, and so much more. Such an empowering book.
Penguin Journey by Angela Burke Kunkel, Catherine Odell (Illustrations)
A lyrical picture book exploration of emperor penguins’ incredible journey to parenthood, with stunning watercolor art
Packed Snow / Moon glow
Wind-blown / All alone
This young picture book is about the incredible lengths to which emperor penguins go for their young ones. Angela Burke Kunkel’s lyrical text and Catherine Odell’s gorgeous illustrations detail the penguins’ amazing journey, and an author’s note and bibliography provide added context.
The beautiful illustrations caught my eye even before I opened the book. I’ve always adored penguins and love getting a glimpse into their life that’s great for really young readers (paired with illustrations and an author note that’s wonderful for all ages). The emotion in a few spots stayed with me long after I closed the book.
Bye, Car by Naomi Danis, Daniel Rieley (Illustrations)
Two children are fascinated by the vehicles that surround them. Big, small, noisy, quiet, an endless stream passes through the streets each day, and the children wave them all goodbye. But exciting though they are, many vehicles also have a damaging impact on the environment. Is there a better way to get around? A greener alternative, BYE, CAR takes a positive look into the future.
With sparse language, two children say goodbye to every car they see—which includes several opposites (near, far, big, tiny, etc.) Then, they say hello to all kinds of greener, cleaner options, like bicycles and a tram. Books like this can help children be more environmentally aware as they grow up.
Help Mom Work from Home! By Diana Murray, Cori Doerrfeld (Illustrations)
For fans of Boss Baby and How to Babysit a Grandma comes an entertaining read aloud for parents working from home with their little ones.
It isn’t always easy working from home. Luckily, Mom’s little one is a natural boss at keeping her organized, leading meetings, and making calls—or so it seems. But when Mom starts looking frazzled, will her helper know what to do?
Diana Murray’s rollicking rhyme paired with Cori Doerrfeld’s energetic illustrations will bring parent and child together after a long workday at home.
Adorable story about a child helping Mom work from home (which has happened more often in the past year or so). Such fun chaos…and the illustrations are amazing. I think this book deserves a gold star.
Thanks so much for reading PB Buzz! And a huge thanks to everyone who generously donated a prize on the two Rafflecopters below to help celebrate all of these amazing new books. All prizes below are on this Rafflecopter (you can view them by clicking the arrow under each prize). You have the opportunity to win:
PB critique or 30 minute Zoom chat with me [Winner: Mia Geiger]
Choice of PB critique, Zoom chat with author or classroom, or signed copy of CHICKEN FRANK, DINOSAUR (US Only) by S. K. Wenger (Jojo Ensslin, Illustrator) [Winner: Hannah Roy LaGrone]
Choice of PB critique or signed copy of LARRY’S LATKES (US Only) by Jenna Waldman, (Ben Whitehouse, Illustrator) [Winner: Debra Daugherty]
PB Critique from Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky, author of JAMES’ READING RESCUE [Winner: Brenna Jeanneret]
*Everyone can enter the giveaways on this first Rafflecopter!*
a Rafflecopter giveawayThis Rafflecopter has awesome new books you can win…and is open only to those in the US.
Signed copy of I AM ODD I AM NEW by Benjamin Giroux (Roz MacLean, Illustrator) [Winner: Christina Dendy]
Paperback copy of WHO IS A SCIENTIST? by Laura Gehl [Winner: Sarah Cody]
Hardcover copy of BYE, CAR by Naomi Danis (Daniel Rieley, Illustrator) [Winner: Laurie Seaford]
Signed copy of BEAUTIFUL JIM: THE WORLD’S SMARTEST HORSE by Jodie Parachini (Dragan Kordic, Illustrator) [Winner: Mia Geiger]
Signed copy of SPIDERNAUT: ARABELLA, THE SPIDER IN SPACE by Jodie Parachini (Dragan Kordic, Illustrator) [Winner: Brian Burak]
Copy of JAMES’ READING RESCUE by Dianna Wilson-Sirkovsky (Sara Casilda, Illustrator) [Winner: Janet Sheets]
*Everything you do for the first Rafflecopter can count for this one, too. So if you leave a blog comment, you get credit on both Rafflecopters. Just click that you did it on each Rafflecopter and enjoy the extra entries.*
a Rafflecopter giveawayWinners will be shown on this post and shouted out on Twitter on November 7. Good luck!
*I hope you’ll join us for the next #PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train on Thursday, November 18. Writing one new picture book a month adds up fast–it’ll be my 11th picture book in 2021. Wahoooo! How is your writing (or reading) coming along?
I can’t wait to share more amazing books with you next month!
If you have a recently released or upcoming picture book with a publisher on the SCBWI PAL list and would like me to read and consider it for PB Buzz, click here to fill out a Google form. I’m excited to read your book!
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